There are several challenges that could face Huawei’s own operating system.
Firstly, Huawei will need to make its own software have a user experience that can match Google and have the “versatility of collection of apps,” according to Neil Shah, a research director, at Counterpoint Research. Secondly, making apps secure will be key.
“Ensuring security of apps is paramount which involves scanning and certification of apps for the store which is a humongous task and could be challenging and resource intensive. The last thing Huawei would want is privacy or security issues plaguing the offering,” Shah told CNBC.
Huawei is also facing issues related to securing critical components. SoftBank-owned semiconductor firm Arm said on Wednesday that it was suspending business with Huawei. Arm creates the basis for Huawei’s own processor in its smartphones called the Kirin 980. So when Huawei talks about its own chips, they are built on Arm architecture and many are actually manufactured by Taiwanese firm TSMC.
The processor in a phone needs to work closely with the operating system in a device. If the OS is dependent on working with Arm architecture and Huawei gets blocked from using the company’s designs, that could make the software unusable.
“If they can’t manufacture their own ARM-based chipsets having an OS doesn’t matter. So not losing access to ARM IP (intellectual property) would be important as a first step,” Shah said.